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India failed to qualify for the 2017 FIBA Asia Cup, after losing to Japan 77-66 in the FIBA Asia Challenge on Saturday. The defeat meant India are out of contention for fifth place, and they will now play against Chinese Taipei in the final classification game for the seventh and eighth positions.?Amrinder Singh top scored for India with 22 points and led the charts in the rebounds with 14, while forward Amjyot Singh also had a decent match, scoring 18 points. However, Japans superior offense and bench strength proved the difference between the two sides.Japan were the brighter of the two sides early on and although India made a comeback in the second quarter to take a slender lead, they failed to make the most of their momentum.?Japan led the first quarter with the score reading 22-14, but it was soon 22 points each when back-to-back baskets from Amjyot, and two from Amritpal Singh and Vishesh Bhriguvanshi saw India go on a 8-0 run. Japan took a timeout to calm things down and after that, they were back to taking charge of the game.Japans power forward Ira Demon Brown, who has been their best player this tournament,ended with 20 points and 14 rebounds.With India briefly ahead 27-26, Brown powered in a dunk that helped Japan take the lead and go on a nine-point run, deflating India. Japan eventually had a 40-33 lead by the end of the second quarter.India started the second half with two aggressive three-pointers, but just like in the second quarter, they went through a phase where they missed plenty of chances, giving Japan the upper hand. Japan scored 11 straight points to take a 53-39 lead. India came back strong to reduce the deficit, but still trailed by nine points going into the final quarter.Both teams were neck and neck in the fourth quarter, as Japan maintained their healthy lead. Japan also rotated their team well and most of their substitutes chipped in with points - an area in which India have been weak throughout the tournament. Air Force One Shoes Nz . Kiriasis and brakeman Franziska Fritz finished two runs in one minute 55.41 seconds -- a mere 0.01 seconds ahead of Meyers and Lolo Jones, who likely bolstered her Olympic hopes by helping give USA-1 a huge push in the second heat. Air Force 1 Mid Nz . Haas said he "felt a lot of pain" in his right shoulder when he slammed his racket to the ground in frustration after losing his serve at 3-3 in the first set. http://www.airforce1salenz.com/ . 4 Villanova with a 96-68 drubbing on Monday. Wragge hit 9-of-14 from behind the arc, matching Kyle Korvers school record for 3-pointers in a game set in 2003, as Creighton (16-3, 6-1 Big East broke a conference record with 21 treys in the rout. Nike SF Air Force 1 Mid Nz . -- Matt Kuchar and Harris English ran away with the Franklin Templeton Shootout, shooting a 14-under 58 on Sunday in the final-round scramble to break the tournament course record. Sf Af1 Nz . -- Team after team passed on Andre Ellington in the draft. Choice of game This was the first international match of the summer to be played in Sydney, and since I had the day off and the weather was good, I couldnt see any reason not to go!Team supported I like to support the underdog and was hoping New Zealand could cause a surprise upset, but the result really didnt matter if it was an entertaining match.Key performer This match was defined by Steven Smith. Watching him live makes it easier to appreciate how he manoeuvres the ball at unusual angles into gaps, and you realise that he would be a nightmare to bowl to. He moves rapidly into position, even against express pace. It was remarkable how the ball flies off his bat, such was his timing today. It was a special innings and his hometown crowd were very appreciative.One thing I would have changed Martin Guptill had played a terrific innings and it would have been nice if he could have stayed out there a little longer to make the contest tighter.Wow Moment No single shot in Steven Smiths batting exhibition was as memorable as his remarkable catch at backward point. It looks amazing on TV but it was astonishing to see it live.Shot of the day There were several to choose froom, but my favourite was Guptills seemingly effortless lofted straight drive for six off the bowling of Josh Hazlewood in the early overs of the chase.dddddddddddd It wins based on the quality of the bowler and the courage required to play such a shot so early in the innings.Close encounters Substitute fielder Glenn Maxwell may have been fined for disrespecting his team-mates, but he proved to be totally the opposite for the fans, signing several autographs and posing for photos. Adam Zampa and Mitchell Marsh were ruthlessly sledged by a group of New Zealand fans seated near us.Crowd meter The SCG was only at half-capacity, but there was still plenty of atmosphere and a healthy contingent of New Zealand fans present.Overall There were two memorable centuries, including the highest individual score at the ground, plenty of boundaries and a decent atmosphere, so we definitely got value for money. Like I said, the result does not matter if it was entertaining, and it was, but it would have been 10/10 if it was a tense finish.Marks out of 10 7 ' ' '